CHAPTER 115: CHAPTER 115: ECHOES OF PAIN AND LAUGHTER

Karl’s lips curved with a small, knowing smile, and he inclined his head once more before leaving me to my thoughts.

Not long after he left, my phone lit up, Zayn’s name glowing across the screen. I answered immediately, his voice coming through, soft but cheerful. He was calling to let me know he was on his way to the restaurant.

"Okay, baby," I said, a small smile tugging at my lips just hearing him. "Will you be coming back to the house later?"

He paused before answering, "No... one of my friends is celebrating a birthday tonight, so we all decided to hang out together."

I leaned back on the bed, imagining his face. "That’s fine, love. Just don’t drink too much, alright?"

He chuckled, and I could hear the smile in his voice.

I added, "I’ll be heading out too. The team arranged a welcome party before work officially starts tomorrow."

"Then drink responsibly," he teased. "Remember, I’ve got my eyes on you."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Same here, baby. Always watching you."

That earned me a soft laugh from him, the kind that melted into my chest like music. We lingered a little longer, exchanging small words, reluctant to let go. Finally, I sighed and said, "I love you, Zayn."

"I love you too, Evric," he replied, his voice steady and sure, carrying a warmth that clung to me even after the call ended.

After finally hearing his voice, I drifted into sleep. I hadn’t rested enough since yesterday, but just hearing my man say how much he loved me gave me peace. His words lingered like a blanket over my heart, pulling me into the deepest, most comfortable sleep.

By the time I woke, hours had passed. Night was already creeping in when Mr. Karl came knocking, urging me to head downstairs with him for dinner before the welcome party.

I changed into fresh clothes and followed him down.

As soon as we settled at the table and placed our orders, Vanya appeared out of nowhere, her presence sudden but casual, and without asking much, she joined us. I didn’t protest, I wasn’t in the mood for small conflicts. I just wanted to eat.

She placed her order too, and soon the three of us were eating together. Between bites, Vanya launched into one unnecessary conversation after another, most of which didn’t concern me. I nodded here and there, gave her a look when I didn’t feel like answering, and even laughed at a few of her jokes.

The truth was, she wasn’t as crazy as I had first assumed. She was funny, intelligent surprisingly sharp in her own way. And for a moment, I found myself thinking: maybe, if I was just a little nicer, got a little closer, I could one day sit her down and tell her the truth. That I’m gay. That I already had someone I loved so much, and he is enough for me. With the way she carried herself, I felt Vanya was the type who would understand and stop chasing shadows with no reward.

When dinner was over, she suggested we take a walk outside. The idea actually sounded refreshing, and Karl seemed to share my thoughts. Leaning toward me, he whispered, "Instead of being harsh with her, why not try to get close? She seems easygoing enough."

"I thought the same thing," I murmured back.

So the three of us walked together. Vanya was... playful. Every street we passed, she found some way to make a scene, walking backward, bumping into things, almost like a child refusing to walk straight. The funniest part was when strangers tried to approach me. Twice, she cut them off with a laugh and said, "Sorry, girl, he’s not single."

I didn’t know whether to roll my eyes or laugh, but I had to admit it was oddly amusing.

Later, the conversation shifted toward business. And that was where I truly saw her shine. The way she spoke about deals, strategies, and her vision, it became clear...Vanya was brilliant. Outstanding, even. For someone like her... rich, elegant, a CEO, chasing after a man so persistently didn’t make sense. No, the more I thought about it, the more I realized... someone had asked her to do this. Someone wanted her to act this way toward me.

And that thought sat with me as we kept walking under the city lights.

So many times she kept shouting, "Evric, do as I say!"

I frowned and asked her, "Why?"

She tilted her head, her voice light. "Because outside the home, it’s quiet and fun."

I smiled faintly, shaking my head. "You’re not even drunk yet, so why are you acting like it?"

She chuckled, but instead of answering, she stepped a little farther from me. "Staying far away from home, Evric... it’s literally peaceful. What do you think?"

"Maybe..." I muttered, not sure how else to respond.

Then suddenly, she reached for my hand, tugging me toward the stairs of a tall passing bridge. The steps were steep and long, but she insisted we climb, so Karl and I followed her up.

At the top, she turned to me, her eyes glimmering with something I couldn’t quite place. "Evric, I want to scream out loud."

I raised a brow. "Why?"

She spread her arms wide, smiling faintly. "Because life feels better when you’re alone."

The look in her eyes told a different story though... pain, tucked neatly behind her playful façade. She was hiding something, just as I did. For a moment, I wondered if she was just like me, carrying struggles no one else could see.

So I asked softly, "What do you want to scream? I’ll scream with you."

Her eyes flickered, startled by my sudden gentleness. "Evric... why are you being nice to me all of a sudden?"

I gave her a small smile. "Because you’re trying to tell me that staying far away from home is better than being in it."

She blinked, then let out a low laugh. "Evric, you’re damn smart."

"You too, Vanya," I replied, meeting her gaze.

Her smile softened into something more serious. "Won’t your boyfriend get angry if he finds out you wanted to scream with me?"

That hit me like a punch. My chest tightened, my steps froze. For a moment, the night air felt heavier than ever.